Pages

What Are You Looking For? Type Your Search Here

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Deputy President; Ruto Requests To Be Allowed Skip Most Of ICC Trial Sessions

Amsterdam - Deputy President William Ruto asked international war
crimes judges Tuesday if he can skip most of his trial and attend only
its opening and closing sessions, and any other sessions judges deem
particularly necessary.At a hearing at the International Criminal
Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Ruto said he is seeking to balance his
political duties and his responsibility to answer the charges against
him.Ruto is charged together with journalist Joshua Arap Sang of
alleged murder, forcible deportation and persecution of supporters of
political opponents in the country's 2007 presidential election."For
the avoidance of any doubt, I want to say to the court that I have
cooperated with the prosecutor," he said. I have "submitted to
jurisdiction of this court when required, and will, without any plea or
contradiction, do so in the future."Judges are to set a date for Ruto and Sang's trial after the hearing.Ruto said Tuesday he was a victim of a "conspiracy of lies choreographed by networks obviously against truth and justice."Ruto's
trial was due to start this month, but judges have postponed that after
defense lawyers protested they haven't been given enough time to
prepare. They are seeking a November start date.Presiding Judge
Kuniko Ozaki told Ruto at the end of Tuesday's hearing he did not need
to remain in the Netherlands for the continuation of the hearing on
Wednesday.....Associated Press